Isabella's heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of her chest.
Don't move. Don't breathe. Don't even think too loudly.
Her fingers clutched the bark of the tree, knuckles turning white. Her body was rigid, every muscle locked in place as if one wrong move would send her straight to hell.
The python was massive.
Thick, coiled muscles stretched across the branches of the opposite tree like a living nightmare.
Its deep crimson scales shimmered under the sunlight, and as it shifted slightly, she caught glimpses of the dark, intricate patterns snaking along its body.
Its head rested lazily on a thick branch, mouth slightly parted to reveal gleaming fangs that could probably swallow her whole in one bite.
Nope. Absolutely not.
She needed to get down. Now.
Slowly—so painfully slow—she moved her foot to find the nearest foothold. Every tiny scrape against the bark made her want to scream, but she swallowed the panic clawing up her throat.
One step down.
